Backfield switch boon for Laughlin football

Five practices into Laughlin’s football season, coach Jason Leonard made a bold decision about Corey Cook’s future.

Cook, the Cougars’ star running back, was going to move to quarterback.

It was no minor move, considering Laughlin runs a multiple-set offense that varies during the course of a game from pro set to option to single back to spread.

But to Cook, a 5-foot-8-inch, 141-pound junior, the added responsibilities were nothing to fear.

“I like it because now I can be more controlling over the offense,” Cook said. “I like the responsibility of being the quarterback. I like the pressure.”

The switch has paid off in a big way for Class 1A independent Laughlin (4-1), which visits defending 1A state champion Tonopah (3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Cougars have put up more than 46 points per game on their way to matching last season’s win total.

And no one has been more pivotal than Cook, who has passed for 352 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 644 yards and 12 scores.

“I don’t think we knew we were going to have an offense like this,” Leonard said. “The kids have worked hard, and they’re just starting to put the pieces together.”

The Cougars also have gotten production in the ground game from running back Richard Camargo (422 yards, five touchdowns) and fullback Allen Layno (360 yards, seven scores).

“It gives us a lot of options,” Cook said. “We can run a bunch of different plays out of our formations. It gives everybody a chance to get their yardage.”

Laughlin will be without two key cogs on offense against Tonopah.

Leonard said starting center John Little (broken fibia) and starting receiver Tyler Morrison (broken hand) sustained season-ending injuries during a 58-16 win over Mohave Accelerated (Ariz.) on Sept. 26.

“It’s tough to replace those two guys, but the kids know that they have to step up and work extra hard in practice to fill those spots,” Leonard said.

It could help that the Cougars are coming off a bye.

Tonopah, which has scored 146 points in its last two games, whipped Indian Springs 71-29 last Friday.

“You’ve just got to hopefully bottle them up,” Leonard said of the Muckers’ potent shotgun option/pistol offense. “You can’t have any missed tackles. Otherwise, they’re gone.”

With three regular-season games remaining, Laughlin has no chance of reaching the postseason because it is competing as a 1A independent.

The school is classified in 2A based on enrollment, but every program at the school except for wrestling and cross country opted in March to compete at the 1A level this year to remain competitive.

Leonard acknowledged the situation is “kind of a bummer” for his players, but that hasn’t taken away from their enthusiasm.

“We decided what was best for our school,” Leonard said. “The kids haven’t quit. They’ve played every game just like they would if they were going to the playoffs.”

Added Cook: “It really bums us out that we can’t be in the playoffs, but we still want to push it hard so people know who Laughlin is.”